A/n: Woo! Me again. Already? you're asking. Well I had to write this chapter up. My brain wouldn't let me sleep until I did.

Disclaimer: I really don't own Kingdom Hearts! And I really wish I did! Cloud and Leon really need to be together! And I really need to stop saying really!

That hadn't been what he'd expected. When Leon had gone to confront Cloud, he wasn't expecting…well that. The sudden rush of emotions as he had been face to face with Cloud was overwhelming. It was a new feeling to him, stronger than anything he had ever felt before. He had felt something similar once before, but that was long gone. At the time, he had thought that nothing could compare, but he was wrong. In that short moment in time, Cloud had been everywhere, and Leon couldn't help but notice him properly for the first time. And his blue eyes, ethereal in their nature. They haunted him, would not leave his mind.

It had been four hours since the incident in the Dark Depths, and although it was only a short moment in time really, to Leon, those few seconds in which they had looked at each other, truly looked for the first time, felt like an eternity. Those eyes, so guarded usually, in that second had opened up to him slightly, showing him a multitude of emotions that he had never expected. And they drew him in, and four hours on, those eyes still would not relinquish their hold on him.

He had made his way into the castle, locking himself away in the huge library. He had already read most of the books in there, but he found it peaceful to just relax into a book. He could get away from it all for a couple of hours, alone with just a good book for company. He never complained, he loved working on the restoration, but sometimes he just needed a little alone time. In his own house he was always in danger of someone bursting in on him, but here he felt like he could truly be alone, truly relax. And he loved it.

The book he was reading was quite informative, all about the human body. He wasn't sure why this was the book he chose, but he enjoyed reading it all the same. At one point though, the diagram of a human eye morphed, changing into Cloud's mysterious ones. At this, he had to shut the book, slamming it down with a sharp sigh. So much for reading taking his mind off the matter.

He wandered through the castle, taking the long route to the exit, not wanting to have to face the others just yet. He still had no idea of what was going on himself, and Aerith's questioning would not help him at all. He just needed to sort out his thoughts, to sort the whole matter out, but the only way to do that was to meet with Cloud again, and he didn't think that he could handle that without making things between the two men even more confusing. He pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking deeply.

Just what was so special about Cloud Strife?

Cloud was still sat in the Dark Depths, having not moved since he had slouched back down the wall as Leon left. His eyes were once more lifeless, but Cloud's mind was working in overdrive. He had just been face to face with Leon for the first time, and he couldn't get it out of his mind. Those eyes, they had pierced his soul, seen things that he had never allowed anyone to see.

He had no idea how long it had been since Leon had left, since he had released that breath that had meant so much. He knew nothing of what Leon had done to him, but he knew that he didn't like it. He could still feel the other man, as if he was still stood close to him. He could still feel the heat that had radiated from his body. He could still see those eyes, the eyes that had looked deep within him, deeper than either man had ever wanted.

He could still feel the hand on his chin, the touch had burned him. Cloud felt as if it had left a visible mark, like he had really been burned by something hot. He could still feel it, and he hated it. He wanted to be rid of that feeling. For the first time in his existence, at that touch, he felt his strength slip away from him. Squall Leonhart had made him feel weak.

Aerith had managed to calm Yuffie down, and was wondering what was taking Leon so long. She knew that he had gone to speak to Cloud, but didn't think it would take this long. She knew Cloud was stubborn, but even he was not this bad. She hoped that Leon had gotten through to him. She knew that he would be the only one that could.

She could see it. She had seen it a long time ago. The way they interacted was that of more than just friens. The two of them understood each other too well for that to be the case. They had such a strong bond, and she could see that the bond was becoming stronger. She was shocked by Cloud this morning, but she knew his reasons. She could see, just as Leon had made the comment, the flicker of agony behind Cloud's eyes. She could see that Cloud was truly upset that Leon thought that lowly of him, and she knew the reasons. Even if they didn't. It was only a matter of time anyway, she mused. Maybe this is what they need, a chance to meet each other face to face. To really see the other person.

She smiled to herself, and hearing Merlin's door open, she went to see who had come back. Leon had entered, the stoic mask that he usually wore had slipped ever so slightly. Aerith could almost see the emotions in his eyes.

"Leon…" she started.

"Don't." Leon headed straight past her, without even a glance in her direction. She heard him walk down the corridor, towards his room (Leon was one of the few that had remained at Merlin's house, choosing to allow the others to have their own houses) and heard the door slam shut a little more forcibly than usual.

Yes, she thought. It really was only a matter of time.

A/n: Well there is chapter 3 for you. Aerith is a very lovely soul, she really is XD. a shorter one this time round, but it is sort of a filler chapter anyway. I couldn't skip right to the next bit, so I needed this. Well R&R, makes me write faster. XD

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